Description of the attraction
One of the most interesting pages in Spanish history tells us about the Christian reconquista, about the conquest of Spanish lands from the Moors. For many years, the lands of Spain were in the possession of the Moors, with whom the locals waged constant wars, largely on the basis of religious beliefs. At the beginning of the 13th century, the troops of King James I of Aragon (Jaime I) managed to recapture Valencia from the Moors. The knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, whose members were originally called Johannites, and after some time the Knights Hospitaller of Malta, rendered significant assistance to the king. At the beginning of the 13th century, part of the knights of this order moved to Spain, where they supported King James (Jaime) of Aragon. As a token of gratitude for the help provided, the king donated large lands to the knights of the Order. It was on a part of the lands donated by the king that a church was erected in the 13th century, which later received the name of the Church of the Knights Hospitaller of Malta.
The original building of the church was built in the Gothic style, the main stage of its construction was carried out between 1238 and 1261. The construction was finally completed by 1316. The church building, made mainly of brick and stone, is 36 m long and 19 m wide. The walls are decorated with narrow Gothic windows. Inside there is an ancient altar dating back to the end of the 13th century. A bell tower was completed in the courtyard of the church in the 17th century.
During the Spanish Civil War, the building of the church and the bell tower suffered significant damage.
